Therapeutic apparatus of the chair type, and the like



Jan. 19 1960 A. R. RABHAN 2,921,578

THERAPEUTIC APPARATUS OF THE CHAIR TYPE, AND THE LIKE Filed April 17.1958 INVENTOR, ALVIN R. RABHAN,

ATTORNEY United States Patent THERAPEUTIC APPARATUS OF THE CHAIR TYPE,AND THE LIKE Alvin R. Rabhan, High Point, N.C., assignor to GuilfordLounge, Inc., a corporation of North Carolina Application April 17,1958, Serial No. 729,188

2 Claims. (Cl. 128-33) The present invention relates to therapeuticapparatus and more particularly to electric vibrators affording actionthrough the back of a chair on which a person sits for treatment.Provision is also made that the vibratory action may be accompanied byheat sensations.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel and improvedtherapeutic apparatus of the character described, including a chairhaving an upholstered back which houses an electrical vibrator means soassociated with the upholstery springs, that the vibratory effect ismagnified to extend across the entire chair back instead of localized atthe region of the vibrator.

A further object is to provide a novel and improved therapeuticapparatus of the kind set forth, offering heat coupled with thevibratory action; it having been discovered by me that the heatsensations experienced in such instance, appear to be as if they pulsatein synchronism with the physical vibrations.

Another object thereof is to provide a novel and improved therapeuticapparatus in chair form. having the attributes mentioned, which isreasonably cheap to manufacture and etficient in carrying out thepurposes for which it is designed.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as this disclosureprocews.

For the practice of this invention, one form it may assume, is to have achair with its back of upholstered construction employing forwardlyarched stressed springs in its interior, on which an electrical vibratoris carried so that when actuated, the vibrations produced by saidvibrator, will be imparted to said springs which extend across the chairback area. An electrical heating device may be included within the chairback structure, prefer ably built into the vibrator means so that theentire mechanism may be unitary.

In the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification, similarcharacters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the framework of a chairhaving an upholstered back showing the upholstery springs, but omittingthe inner padding and outer upholstery to attain clarity ofillustration. This view shows an electrical vibrator means associatedwith said springs.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the electrical vibrator which is shown equippedwith an electrical heater coil.

Fig. 3 is a section taken at line 33 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail showing the preferred manner forattaching the vibrator to the upholstery springs.

In the drawing, the preferred embodiment shown comprises a chair whoseframe is indicated generally by the numeral 15. At least the back of thechair is to be upholstered and hence it is provided with a series offorwardly arched tensed springs 16, 17 thereacross. It is usual practiceto use springs of wire bent into sinuous form as illustrated. On theback of one or more of these springs, an electrical vibrator means 30 ismounted. Preferably, such vibrator means consists of a pair of sheetmetal plates 18, 19 held in spaced assembly by the rivets 20. On abridge piece 21 positioned between said plates and secured to them,there is an electro-magnet 22 and a vibratable armature 23. Onthe innersurface of one of said plates, an electrical heater coil 24 is mountedas for instance by the straps 25.

To mount the vibrator 30 onto the springs 16, 17, there are the bendablelugs or tabs 26 which are struck up from the metal plate 18, forengagement about an asbestos collar 27 which is about said springs attab regions. A forwardly bowed tensed spring 29 on the chair frame,presses against the back plate 19 of the vibrator 30 and is retained bythe engagement tabs 31.

It is to be especially noted that upon actuation of the vibrator 30, thesprings 16, 17 to which it is secured, will also vibrate. Thus thevibratory effect is over the entire area of the chair back and notmerely local at vibrator position, which was the practice heretofore.

If the heater 24 is actuated together with the vibrator 30, the patientexperiences besides the vibratory effect which is now magnified andacting over a substantial area of the persons back, the sensation of asort of pulsating heat as if heat darts impinged against the body.

This invention is equally applicable to chair seats and foot rests whichare upholstered and to mattresses. Hence, it is intended that thedesignation chair back" shall be deemed to include such embodiments ofthis invention.

This invention is capable of numerous forms and various applicationswithout departing from the essential features herein disclosed. It istherefore intended and desired that the embodiment shown herein shall bedeemed illustrative and not restrictive and that the patent shall coverall patentable novelty herein set forth; reference being had to thefollowing claims rather than to the specific description herein toindicate the scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. In a therapeutic apparatus of the character described, thecombination with the frame of a chair back including opposite framemembers, of spaced first and second springs bridging said frame members,an electrically-operated vibrator means mounted on the rear of saidfirst and second springs, whereby on actuation of said vibrator means,said first and second springs will vibrate and a third spring positionedbetween said first and second springs and bridging said opposite framemembers; said third spring being associated with said vibrator means andbeing biased to urge the vibrator means forwardly.

2. A therapeutic apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein all thesprings are tensed and forwardly bowed.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,582,617 August Jan. 15, 1952 2,808,827 OHara Oct. 8, 1957 2,843,113Miller July 15, 1958

